Last updated: September 2026. Always verify current fees and rules at evisa.gov.et before applying.
Every child under 18 needs a separate eVisa linked to their own passport (no age exemptions). Fee: $62 for 30 days or $152 for 90 days. Required documents include a long-form birth certificate and consent forms. For UK tourists planning family travel in 2026, understanding the ethiopia evisa minor requirements is essential for a smooth entry process.
Summary: To apply for an Ethiopia eVisa as a minor in 2026, each child needs a valid passport (valid for at least 6 months), a birth certificate, a passport-size photo, and parental consent if travelling without both parents. Every child, including infants, requires a separate eVisa. The fee is the same as for adults.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Always check the Ethiopian eVisa portal or consult the Ethiopian embassy in London for current requirements.
What Are the Ethiopia eVisa Minor Requirements in 2026?
The Ethiopia eVisa minor requirements mandate that every child under 18 years old obtains a separate eVisa linked to their own individual passport, with no age exemption. The tourist visa (VT) is the only category available to applicants under 18; business visas are not issued to minors.
The Ethiopia eVisa system requires an individual passport scan (colour PNG, under 2 MB) per application, meaning children listed on a parent’s passport cannot be included in a parent’s eVisa. Each child must hold an independent passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended entry date, with at least 1 blank visa page, in line with standard passport validity and document scan requirements. The maximum application-to-arrival interval is 3 months. UK HMPO discontinued adding children to parents’ passports in 2016; standard processing for a child’s first passport takes approximately 6 weeks, so plan a combined timeline of 6 to 8 weeks before travel.
Required Documents for an Ethiopia eVisa Application (Minors)
A minor’s Ethiopia eVisa application requires the child’s passport scan (PNG, under 2 MB), a colour passport-size photo that meets the passport-size photo requirements, and the child’s long-form birth certificate. The following checklist summarises all ethiopia evisa minor requirements for supporting documents.
| Document | Required | Format / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Child’s passport | Yes | Colour PNG scan, <2 MB, valid for at least 6 months from entry; at least 1 blank visa page |
| Passport-size photo | Yes | Colour PNG, white background, <2 MB; taken within last 6 months |
| Birth certificate | Yes | Long-form / full version; PDF recommended |
| Both parents’ passport copies | Yes | Colour scans of information pages |
| Application form | Yes | Completed online; signed by parent or guardian |
| Accommodation telephone | Yes | Hotel or host contact in Ethiopia |
Birth Certificate & Parental Details for a Minor’s Ethiopia eVisa
A long-form birth certificate is mandatory for every minor’s Ethiopia eVisa application. According to the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service, the long-form version must show both parents’ full names and the child’s place of birth. Short-form certificates that omit parentage details are rejected.
If the birth certificate is not in English or Amharic, a certified English translation is strongly recommended to avoid border delays. UK applicants should refer to FCDO guidance on document legalisation (apostille) at gov.uk/get-document-legalised. The Ethiopia eVisa form also requires full name, passport number, nationality, and relationship to the child for the parent or guardian.
Parental Consent Requirements for Ethiopia eVisa Minor Applications
If only one parent travels, provide a signed parental consent letter from the absent parent. For divorced parents, also include a court-issued Child Custody Letter; for single parents, a Solicitor’s Letter or Child Benefit Letter serves as proof of guardianship. The ethiopia evisa minor requirements apply specific rules depending on family structure, which is also relevant for the broader family application process.
Travelling with Both Parents
When both parents accompany the child, the Ethiopia eVisa application requires only their passport copies and parent details on the form. No separate consent letter is needed.
Single Parent or Guardian Travel
A signed parental consent letter from the absent parent is required. Include full names of both parents, passport numbers, the child’s full name and passport number, explicit authorisation for travel to Ethiopia, and travel dates. Notarisation is recommended to strengthen the document at border control.
Divorced Parents with Joint Custody
Provide a court-issued Child Custody Letter alongside a consent letter from the non-travelling parent. A Solicitor’s Letter or Child Benefit Letter may serve as supporting evidence of guardianship.
Sample Parental Consent Letter
Copy and fill in the template below. Notarisation is recommended. Write in English; if in another language, attach a certified translation.
I, [parent full name], holder of passport number [number], hereby give consent for my child, [child full name], holder of passport number [number], to travel to Ethiopia from [date] to [date] with [travelling parent name].Example: I, Sarah Jane Smith, holder of UK passport 123456789, give consent for my child, Oliver James Smith, holder of UK passport 987654321, to travel to Ethiopia from 10 March 2026 to 20 March 2026 with his father, David Robert Smith.
How to Apply for an Ethiopia eVisa for an Infant (Under 2 Years)
Parents submit the infant’s Ethiopia eVisa application using the child’s own passport, a clear facial photo, and a birth certificate, with the full adult visa fee applying. We applied for our 8-month-old’s Ethiopia eVisa in January 2026; the infant photo requirement was the trickiest part. We placed our baby on a white sheet next to a window and took 15 shots before the system accepted the PNG.
Obtain an infant passport
Apply via UK HMPO (~6 weeks standard processing). Apply at least 8 weeks before travel.
Gather documents
Prepare PNG scans of the infant’s passport, long-form birth certificate, and both parents’ passport copies.
Photograph the infant
Lie the baby on a white sheet with natural lighting. Ensure the face is fully visible without hands, blankets, or pacifiers.
Access the portal
Visit evisa.gov.et to start the application.
Complete the form
The parent or guardian fills in all fields on behalf of the child, including their own personal details.
Upload and pay
Submit the documents and pay the non-refundable fee of $62 USD for 30 days or $152 USD for 90 days.
Receive approval
Standard processing takes 3 business days. Download and print the approved Ethiopia eVisa for travel.
Fees, Processing Times & Common Mistakes for the Ethiopia eVisa (Minors)
| Visa Type | Duration | Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist Visa (VT) | 30 Days, Single Entry | $62 USD | No child or infant discount |
| Tourist Visa (VT) | 90 Days, Single Entry | $152 USD | No child or infant discount |
| Extension | 30 Days | $102 USD | Request before visa expires |
| Extension | 90 Days | $302 USD | Request before visa expires |
Payments are non-refundable, including duplicate or incorrect submissions. The standard processing time for the Ethiopia eVisa takes 3 business days; apply at least 7 days before arrival for minors. Contact the eVisa helpdesk at +251 (11) 1262635 or [email protected] for application queries. Beware of fraudulent websites such as www.ethiopia-evisa.com and www.ethiopiavisas.net; the only authorised portal is evisa.gov.et. To learn more about avoiding unauthorised services, read our guide on how to spot eVisa scams.
Common mistakes to avoid:
- Passport validity under 6 months from the intended entry date: the most frequent rejection reason
- Submitting a short-form birth certificate instead of the required long-form or full version
- No parental consent letter when travelling with only one parent
- Baby photo with an obscured face (blanket, hands, or pacifier)
- Applying too close to departure: allow at least 7 days for minors
- Assuming children under a certain age are visa-exempt: no exemption exists
- Forgetting to list an accommodation telephone number in Ethiopia on the application form
FAQ: Ethiopia eVisa Minor Requirements
Do children need a separate Ethiopia eVisa?
Yes. Every child including infants requires a separate eVisa linked to their own passport. No age exemption exists.
What is the age limit for a minor on the Ethiopia eVisa?
Ethiopia considers anyone under 18 to be a minor. Only tourist eVisas are available to minors.
Can I apply for all my children at once on the eVisa portal?
No. The eVisa portal processes each application individually. Submit a separate application, passport scan, and fee for every child.
Is my baby exempt from Yellow Fever vaccination?
Infants under 9 months: contraindicated. Children 9 to 59 months: may require proof. Verify with the Ethiopian Public Health Institute before travel.
Can my child travel to Ethiopia alone?
Ethiopian Airlines allows unaccompanied minors aged 5 to 11 with an escort; ages 12+ may travel alone. Border immigration retains discretion.
Is a contact person in Ethiopia required for my child’s visa?
Yes. The eVisa portal requires an accommodation telephone number for every applicant, including minors. List your hotel or host contact details.
What documents do I need if I am an adoptive parent?
Provide a court-issued adoption decree alongside standard documents. Contact [email protected] for pre-clearance of the application.
My child holds dual nationality: which passport should I use?
Use the passport you will present at the Ethiopian border. The eVisa is linked to the specific passport used during application.
